QUOTE (Nick B @ 22 Oct 2008, 20:00)
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Once again, I read this forum and find everyone bashing Hornby. What is it with all you people? I have the Hornby R8215 accessory decoders and it sends the point motor firing like a rocket. I have it connected to the track in a tunnel using the Hornby track connector; ie on the DCC bus. The R8247 decoder operates the colour lights no worries.
I always find it amazing that when a person asks for advice on this forum realting to Hornby, they are told to move it on. I have no doubts that there are superior systems. I am not going to argue that Hornby is the best (although for my needs personnally, it is). But I will argue when people say Hornby DCC does not work, or work properly, and in general the flavour towards Hornby is negative. How many of you that offer these negative comments actually have an Elite and various Hornby components? Hmm, I thought so.
For the record, I have an Elite, 3 Selects, 60 decoders of all different types including Hornby, Bachmann, Lok Ecos, and the superb TCS decoders. I will also say the Hornby decoders are silent, and drive the newer Hornby diesel locos superbly. Bachmann 3 functions drive the Bachmanns very well, except fot the 2 function 1 amp versions which are noisy. But the TCS decoders drive anything, including old ringfield motors superbly.
For all those people who use this site as an info source, remember to ask the respondents whether their critiques refer to ownership experience.
*** I am pleased you are having a good experience with the product and have no doubt you are not alone, however whilst I respect your comment and am happy you are enjoying using the gear, many had a very different result.
Personally...My experience is very hands on indeed, from day 1 of Hornby digital, and I am constantly assisting clients with issues relating to the brand. Others on this thread also have considerable hornby experience, with one of them in particular also having spent considerable effort to be positive and constructively helpful to Hornby with clear and concise analysis of problems and supportive feedback.
Hornby have not always been honest about their problems - when released Select was so far off any DCC spec it wasn't really able to be called DCC at all... several brands wouldn't work with the Select and Elite and hornby went to considerable lengths to publicly make excuses and deride and blame the other brands (for example initially hornby simply could not be used with TCS which I too think is an excellent product!).
It took considerable pressure to change that attitude and create understanding of the need for cross compatibility.
Actually nobody is bashing Hornby as a brand at all - most of us are very happy users of their locos and rolling stock in one way or another however there are consistent problems with the digital equipment and while it is improving, the problems are still far greater than with any other brand.
This is not an unsupported opinion, but based on real world ongoing experience and direct feedback from everyday problems faced by clients and associated people. The simple fact is that most initial H releases were extremely poor, and caused many modellers considerable problem and wasted money.
Sadly, while many are better now, and slowly problems are reducing, some items are still not good. Very many modellers remain out of pocket from the early problems.
We know Hornby could do better and we all expect that they will but many who were burned will not forget easily.
As each item improves everyone is happier and the issues reduce and I would expect that when hornby eventually reach their second generation having learned from their very real existing problems, many of the negatives will be finally buried.... but....the truth is that today there are still some considerably better paths to a good DCC experience.
This may (probably will) change as time progresses however until then I for one will always tell it as it is. Honest advice is always better than dancing around the issue.
kind regards
Richard
